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2
as in sprinkling
a very small amount
she added a dab of sesame oil to the dressing before pouring it on the salad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in slap
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
a bear can knock a man down with a simple dab of his paw
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
a dab at finding unappreciated collectibles and reselling them at a considerable profit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dab
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025
Roast off some leeks, and onions, and carrots, and a little dab of tomato paste.
—Bon Appétit, 22 Jan. 2025
Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 4 Mar. 2025
She's also developed a reputation for her unique sauces for dabbing, dipping and dunking.
—Mike Deehan, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dab
Noun
If the stain remains on the fabric coat, spot clean with a stain remover or by using a dab of laundry detergent on a damp cloth.
—Verb
And since lavender is known to help with relaxation and has antimicrobial properties, consider dabbing on a few drops of essential oil, too.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab
Verb
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By that point the sweatshirt was smeared with their many flavors on offer: chocolate, pistachio and Biscoff.—
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Assailants have stalked them in public and smeared them online.—
Verb
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Remove 2 cups of the shrimp mixture from bag; drain and pat dry.—
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But that’s too pat a way of describing something so slippery and alive.—
Verb
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In one group of anoles, the researchers daubed the reptiles’ snouts and heads (avoiding the nostrils) with a thin layer of emollient to prevent air bubbles from adhering to the anoles’ heads.—
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Their victorious players meander over, gathering in front of a chainlink fence draped with handmade banners daubed in the dark green and deep burgundy of Mohun Bagan, India’s great footballing powerhouse.—
Verb
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Republicans could see narrowing the ability to access the credits as a way to tap a large pot of money to pay for an extension of President Trump's tax cuts.—
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In 1987, Hardy was tapped to be the Tribune’s lead political reporter as well as a columnist.—
Verb
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This nightly routine of slathering on aromatic oils and kneading away tension and worries, prepares the mind and body for a restful sleep.—
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While slathering on rich creams seems like an obvious solution during this time of year, the idea of shelling out big bucks for the most popular hydrators on the market stops us in our tracks.—
Verb
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Sergio Pérez is tipped to make a Formula One return with Cadillac in 2026 when the sport enters a new era of regulations.—
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Your arrival, to me, tips the scale in this larger conversation about Yellowjackets and what’s mystical and what is explainable.—
Verb
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Late in the second, Jack McBain plastered Rinzel into the end wall — welcome to the NHL, kid.—
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The fairgrounds where the cowboys stop for lunch are plastered with Wanted posters bearing a sketch of Teonna.—
Verb
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The footage then cuts to the other guests of the show still hugging, clapping, and chatting on stage.—
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In 2001, at the age of 12, they were appalled that their classmates clapped at the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks.—
Cite this Entry
“Dab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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